Victoria refugee sponsorship

Their story

A family from West Africa was evacuated to Hong Kong for their safety 14 long years ago.

There, they have been waiting as asylum seekers for someone to sponsor their immigration to a country that accepts refugees.

They have learned English, but as asylum seekers are not permitted to work or travel. Two of their children don't yet have any citizenship. At present they must rely on the charity of others to meet even their most basic needs and they desperately wish to become self-sufficient.

As it is not safe for them to return to their home country, we are coming together to help mom, dad, their two sons and their daughter make Victoria their home.

We have partnered with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria to bring them to Victoria and provide the logistical and financial support required for their first year here. On May 22, 2018, their sponsorship application was submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for processing. As of September 20, 2018, the application has been acknowledge by both the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada office in Ottawa and the one in Hong Kong.

As part of the sponsorship undertaking we need to raise $61,000 by July 31, 2019, that being the amount required to support the family during their first year in Canada.

The sponsorship documentation also includes a Settlement Plan for supporting the family in practical ways, after their arrival. We hope many will join us in letting them know they are welcome and in helping them to make Victoria their home.

Who are we?

We are a group of people living in Victoria who are committed to helping this family immigrate to Canada to make Victoria their home. We were moved deeply when we found out they've been waiting in uncertainty for 14 years for the chance to finally immigrate to a place they can call home. We are partnered with the Intercultural Association of Victoria.